Tire-vulcanizing mold



E. VV. FOTHERGILL.

TIRE VULCANIZNG MOLD.

APPLICMION FILED FEB. 4, m9.

1,33 l, 14:6, Patented Feb. 1711920.

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Patented Feb. 17, 1920.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 17, 1/920.

To all whom 'it may concern Be it known that l, EDMUND W. Fornuiz- GILL, a citizen f the United States, residing at Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and useful Improvement in 'Fire-Vulcania ing Molds, of which the following is a specification.

ln the Vmanufacture of automobile tires rubber impregnated fabric or cordcarcasses or bodies built up to approximate shape and with the treads and outer rubber covering applied are placed in vulcanizing molds. These molds, consistingfof two annular plates with a section of mold cavity in each, tace to :tace with the uncured body between are placed in a press which forces the plates together and compresses the carlhe meld plates are, while in the press, "fastened together usually by cla-nip screws, bolts and nuts or simi lar means passingfrom one plate to the other, and after the carcass is expanded into all parts of the cavity, the loaded mold which is quite heavy is placed in ,a vulcan-- izing press and under heat and pressure the rubber is vulcanized to the desired degree.

The object et this invention is to provide a mold this class with means for fasteng the simular mold plates together which eliminate all bolts, .s .rews and nuts Aor similar n tor securing the plates together, and rmt can be manipulated easily and quickly when the mold is closed or is to be opened, and which will hold the plates together very strongly, and thereby Strengthen yet mold and eiliect a saving ci time and labor in. handling the mold and insure satisfactory results.

This object is lattained by shaping the edges of the mold plates in such a manner and providing clamping rings with expanding and contracting means so arranged about and engaging the edges of the plates that when 'the rings are contracted if on the exterior ot the mold, or expanded if on the interior of the mold, the plates will be drawn together and any tendency for the plates to separate or open under internal pressure will be inet with increasing resist- Fignre 'l or" the accompanying dra-wings shows a transverse sectionl of a tire mold constructed'according tc this invention with lighten .the weight of the the internal ring from the plane of the dotted line 5 5 on Fig. d. Fig. 6 is a like view looking from the plane, of the dotted line 6 6 on Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a section of the external ring on the plane indicated by the dotted line 7 7 on Fig. 2. FiOz 8 is a. section on the plane indicated by the dotted line 8 8 on Fig. 2. Fig. 9 is a section on the plane indicated by the dotted line 9 9 on Fig. 2. Fig. 10 is asection showing one of the devices for temporarily retaining the internal ring when contracted, the section being taken on the plane indicated by the dotted line l0 l`0 on Fig. 4E. Fig. l1 is a section on the plane indicated by the dotted line 1]. 11 on Fig. 2.

rFhe lower plate l of the mold which is substantially annular and has a section 2 of the mold' cavity in its upper face, has 'a ange 3 around its outer edve and a flange 4.- around its .inner edge. 'lille upper mold plate 5 with section 6 of the mold cavity is of similar shape with a flange 7 around its outer edge and a flange 8 around its inner edge. These plates are so shaped that their meeting faces will close together tightly with the walls of the cavities compley inenting each other and forming a properly outlined tire cavity. The plates are preferably guided together by dowel pins 9 and held from sidewise displacement when closed by a vmortise or tongue joint 10 as illustrated in Fig. 1.

The external ring l1 which may be made of one or more pieces is desirably rolled into annular form a little larger than the diam-l eter of the mold plates which it encircles, from a piece ot channel iron so as to provide inwarmy-extending flanges l2 and 13. The inner 'faces of these flanges are desirably beveled, as is the lower face of the liange S and the upper face ci the flange 7 on the eX- ter. oic the mold plates. A hand lever le the other side of the joint.

is pivoted between outwardly-extending ears 15 on one side of the yjoint of the ring, and a link 16 has one end pivoted between ears 17 that extend outwardly from the ring on `The other end of this link is pivoted to the lever a short distance away from the fulcrum of the -lever so that by swinging the lever out the ring will be expanded, and by swinging the lever in the ring will be contracted upon the fianges on the outside of the mold in such a manner .as to draw together and hold the mold plates tightly face to face. The stud 18 which pivots the link between the ears on one end of the ring has its central portion 19 eccentric with relation to the end portions 20 which extend through the ears so that the stud may be turned to vary the distance between the axis of the link and axis of the lever and thus adjust the amount of contraction of the ring upon the flanges' of the mold plates. The stud desirably has a slot 2l in one end for the application of a screw driver, by means of which it maybe turned, and a set screw 22 is turned in through one ear against an end of the stud lfor the purpose of locking it after 'it has been adjusted. The lever is preferably forked and 1s pivoted to the ears. by screw` studs23, and the link extends between the forked end of the lever and is connected by a screw stud 24 which is locked in `position by set screw 25. For the purpose of holding the leve: swung in with the ring contracted, that is, to prevent the-.accidental swinging'out of the lever and opening of the ring, a spring bolt 26 is arranged tol project through one of vthe ears into an opening 27 in .one side of the lever, this bolt Vhaving a head 28 which may be grasped for drawing the bolt up against' the thrust of the `spring and releasing the lever so that it ma be swun out for ex andinf the ring.

vln order to support the ring when it *isV expanded and before the upper plate is pressed down, it is desirable -to 'provide a web 29 aroundthe outer edge near the botil tom face of the lower mold plate. This web supports the ring when it is expanded in such position that while not interferingl .with Vthe lowering to position or removal from'position of theupper mold plate when the plates are together it is only necessary more pieces andis desirably rolled up ofto swing the lever in and contract ythe ring.

for binding the plates together. Located arounC` the inside of the mold is a ring which may be made of one or flanges on the plates and draw the meeting faces of the plates closely together. This inn ternal ring is shown as expanded by means 40 so that they may be easily disconnected when desired. In order to {ill the gap between the ends of this internal ring when it is expanded, a plate 41 is inserted and this plate is provided with swiveled latches 42 arranged to engage studs 43 on the ends of lthe rings. When the latches are turned to secure the plate in place, thumb screws 44 are screwed up to secure the latches. When the ring is to be contracted s0 that the mold plates may be separated, -the thumb screws are loosened, the latches are turned, and then the plate may be' removed. In order to support this internal ring .when it is collapsed, a web 45 is provided around the inner lower edge ofthe bottom mold plate and at suitable points .spring pl'ungers'46 may be arranged for'cngaging the ring ange so 'as tohold the internal ring contracted in a position which will not-obstruct the placing upon or removal of the upper mold plate vfrom thel lower mold plate. When the mold plates are put'together and the internal ring 'is to be expanded for securing their inner edges, the turn-buckle is turned and the toggle straightened, and as the ringexs pands it slidesover the plungers and frees.

itself therefrom;

In the apparatus nal ring-is expanded by swinging the hand lever outward and the internal ring is contracted by collapsing the toggle. With the .external ring expanded and the internal ring contracted and resting on their respective supports, the uncured tire consisting of thecarcass 47 of rubber impregnated fabric or cordsr and-coveredv with the rub-ber tread 48 is placed in the cavity of the lower mold Y plate. An'r air bag or inner tube 49 may, if

desired be a-rranved 1n the tlre and a iackl ingring 50 located in position around the inner opening tothe mold cavity and between the inner edges ofthe tire. Extendingthrough the packing ring, the air bag if' Y there is one, and the internal expansion .illustrated the 'exteri ring, `or preferably the gap in said ring or plate 41 when employed, is a tube 51 with a needle valve 52. The upper mold plate is lowered to position and forced down so,as

to press the tire into the cavity. When the plates are closed tightly the outer ringiscontracted by swinging the lever inward nasales or other fluid may be pumped through theV air tube, and after the tire has been expanded under great internal pressure so that it fills all portions of the mold, the valve is closed to retain this pressure and the mold then placed in the vulcanizing press and the ire vulcanized. After the vulcanizationl has been completed theexternal ring is expandedand the internal ring contracted so as to release the mold plates, and leave the upper plate free to be lifted oil and the tire removed.

n practice it has been found that a mold embodyingthis construction may be held together sulliciently secure by the external ring only. The good results may also be obtained with only the internal ring, but to insure absolute certainty of holdingof the` mold plates together while the tire is being vulcanized and while the interior is subject to laree pressure, both the inner and outer rings may be employed. It is unnecessary to employ the air bag or inner tube, provided the parts are so packed as to prevent the escape of the fluid-used to expand the tire into the mold. By employing this invention the use of bolts, nuts and screws is eliminated; the weight of the apparatus is materially decreased; the strength of the structure is greatly increased with less metal, for the rings encircle the entire mold; and the manipulation of the device is much more rapid than with the old iorm of tire molds commonly employed.

The invention claimed is i l. A ire mold comprising annular plates with cavities in their opposing faces, a cons tractile ring encircling and adapted to en and hold together the outer edges of the mold plates, means for contracting said contractile ring on the outer edges of the mold plates, an expansion ring encircling and adapted to engage and hold together the inner edges of the mold plates, andmeans for erpanding said expansion ringn on the inner edges t the mold plate 2. The apparatus described 'by lclaim l .-laracterized by havin@ the engaging faces ot the mold plates and rings beveled so that the mold plates may be wedged together by the rings. 1

i tire mold comprising annular plates with cavities in their opposing laces, a con` tractile ring having internal flanges en circling and adapted to engage and hold together the outer edges of the mold plates means for contracting said contractile rlng on the f utcr edges of the mold plates, an expansion ring having external tlanges encircling and adapted to engage hold-tc gether the inner edges ot the mold plates, and means for expanding said expansion ring on the inner edges of the mold plates.

l. The apparatus described by claim 3 characterized by having the engaging edges of the mold plates beveled and the inner faces of the ringr flanges inclined so that the mold plates may be wedged together between the ring llanges` 5. .d tire mold comprisinggannula1' plates with cavities in their opposing faces and circular flanges extending from their outer and inner edges, a contractile ring having internal flanges encircling and Yadapted to engage and hold together the' flanges on the exterior et the mold plates, means for contracting said contractile ring on the exterior mold plate flanges, an expansion ring having ex ternal flanges encircling and adapted to engage and hold together the langes on the interior of the mold plates, and means for expanding said expanslon ring on the interior mold plate flanges.

6. The apparatus described by claim 5 characterized by having the engaging faces of the mold flanges and ring anges inclined so that the mold flanges will be wedgedA between the ring;l flanges. i

7. A tire mold comprising annular plates with cavities in their opposing faces and circular flanges extending outwardly from their peripheries, a flexible contractile ring having inwardly extending danges on its edges encircling and adapted to engage and hold together the danges on the exterior of the mold plates, and means for contracting said contractile ring on the exterior mold plate flanges.

8. The apparatus described by claim 7 characterized by having the engaging faces or' the mold flanges and ring flanges inclined so that the moldllanges will be wedged'between the ring flanges when the ring is contracted. j

9. The apparatus described' by claim 7 characterized by having means extending outward from the edge of the lower mold plate for supporting the ring when it is exl0. A tire mold comprising annular plates with cavities in their opposing'faces and circular flanges extending from their outer edges, a split ring having interior ianges encircling'and adapted to engage and hold together said flanges on the mold plates, a lever pivoted to one end of said rin and a link pivoted to the other end of said ring and articulated to said lever at a distance from 'the fulcruni of the lever, whereby'swinging -the lever in one direction contracts the ring upon the llanges ofthe mold plates and swinging the lever in the opposite direction expands said ring oli' l'roin said flanges.

- ll. The apparatus described by claim 9 characterized by having a catch for engagl ing' and temporarily holding said lever With the ring contracted.

12. A tire mold comprising annular plates with cavities in their opposing faces and cirL cular flanges extending from their inner edges, a single piece ftexible expansion ring having exterior ianges encircling and adapted to engage and hold together said flanges on the mold plates, and means connected to and arranged to exert push and pull on Widely separated points of said expansible ring.

13. The apparatus described by claim 12 characterized by having a toggle and turnbuckle for expanding said ring.

1l. The apparatus described by claim 1Q- characterized by having means extending from the lower mold plate for supporting said ring when it is contracted.

l5. A tire mold comprising annular plates with cavities in their opposing faces and circular fianges extending outwardly from their peripheries, a contractile ring that is narrower in Width than the thickness of the mold plates and has inwardly extending flanges on its edges encircling and adapted to engage and hold together the flanges on the exterior of the mold plates, and means for contracting said contractile ring on the mold plate anges.

EDMUND W.I FOTHERGILL. 

